Two Space or Not Two Space
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 11:47PM This may seem like a minor thing in the world of writing -- and it probably is -- but the question arose: "How many spaces do I put between sentences?"
Ah, yes, the space question.
This only applies in, say, a paragraph where one sentence ends and the next begins. Like this one. Notice I used a double-space. That's my preference. It was how I was taught, and so it's what I do.
I know writers better than I who only single-space. Are they wrong? Or am I?
Technically, neither, but in formatting a raw manuscript, two is better than one. It helps with reading and comprehension and, at least to my eyes, just looks better.
But single-spacing won't get you rejected or keep you out of heaven. Generally, it doesn't matter, so if you're use to one, stick with it.
(But two is better.)
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Reader Comments (1)
Way back when, in typing class, I was taught two spaces between sentences and that's what I've carried over into my computer usage... But, again, I used to do layout and design and we did not use the extra space. I think it makes more sense to not add the extra space. It's just an old carry-over from the typewriting/typesetting days before automatic kerning.